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Neil Warnock delivers his honest verdict on Liverpool signing Hugo Ekitike

Lucas Arnold

Mon 21 July 2025 13:00, UK

Liverpool are now closing in on a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

Despite being yet to make a senior appearance for France, Hugo Ekitike is set to join Liverpool in a £79m deal — £69m will be paid up front and the rest will be in add-ons.

At 23 years old, Ekitike has already played in both Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, meaning the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have had a big sample size to analyse.

And Liverpool seem convinced that the former Paris Saint-Germain striker can elevate Arne Slot’s title-winners next season, who will aim to retain their Premier League crown.

Ekitike is excited to join Liverpool owing to the positive effect it could have on his chances of going to the World Cup next summer, and Slot will be very happy if that ends up being the case.

Neil Warnock can’t believe how much Liverpool are paying for Hugo Ekitike

That being said, former Premier League manager Neil Warnock has now shared his thoughts on Ekitike’s move to Liverpool over on talkSPORT.

Warnock has spent the majority of his career working in the EFL, so he can probably be forgiven for his reaction to hearing the fee being paid for Ekitike.

READ MORE: Why Hugo Ekitike was criticised by Eintracht Frankfurt’s manager last season as Liverpool make their move

But either way, Warnock did still think that the French striker had questions to answer at Anfield.

Reacting to the news, Warnock said: “Isn’t it a lot of money, that? For somebody who, yeah he’s had a good season or what have you, but there’s so many question marks against what he’s going to be like.

“I don’t know where the money is going now, £90m for that? I just think it’s too much of a gamble, me.

“Or are they using that to try and give them a bit more time for the Newcastle lad?”

Of course, Liverpool are paying slightly less than Warnock says according to TBR Football’s information, but it is still another high-profile deal for the Reds.

Hugo Ekitike needs to be better than Darwin Nunez at Liverpool

TBR Football understands that Liverpool could still sign two more attackers after completing a deal for Ekitike.

And before the end of August, it is still expected that Darwin Nunez will leave the club.

But following his promising start to pre-season, some Liverpool fans may still feel that Nunez can improve at Anfield.

And judging by Nunez’s goal record, Ekitike might not prove to be an immediate and obvious upgrade on the Uruguay international, even if the Frenchman does have a higher ceiling.

Ekitike is much earlier in his career in comparison to Nunez, and he hasn’t had the same opportunities at top clubs.

But perhaps he does still have a point to prove when it comes to his goalscoring, even if his numbers do look promising.

Either way, Ekitike should be a superb addition for Liverpool, another very clever signing by Edwards and Hughes, who are proving to be a cut above the rest of the Premier League on the transfer front.